Erica: Go Lucifer!!

Chi-Yun: LACERTA!!

Erica was battling Chi-Yun as the two were going at it. Karma and Mei-Mei were crossing logs on a river and shooting Bey targets. Azure and Chao-Xin where balancing high on ropes doing Shadow launches. All while that was going on Ryu and Dashan were both spinning heavy weights on a stick. 3 days had passed since Team Rage had arrived and they and Team Wang Hu Zhong had been intensely training.

Chi-Yun: Special Move!! TEMPESTUOUS WHIRLWIND SWORD!!!

Lacerta knocked Lucifer into the air only making Erica smirk. From the air Lucifer glowed as it came back down as it was being propelled by a storm.

Erica: I got you now!! Special Move!! Lucifer: RAGING STORM CRUSH!!

Lucifer crashed down onto Lacerta from the air knocking it out of the stadium.

Chi-Yun: Argh!! I lost again!

Erica: That time you almost had me. If you were aware of Lucifer's Special Move working from the air then you might have been able to dodge and win.

Azure and Chao-Xin jumped down off of the rope.

Chao-Xin: I capped out at 180, what about you?

Azure: 191.

Chao-Xin: Ah what?!

Karma and Mei-Mei kept going until the later misstepped and started to lose balance.

Mei-Mei: WOAH WOAH WOAH!!

She fell into the water as Karma smiled.

Karma: I win!

Mei-Mei swam back up spitting out water like a swan fountain before poking the log Karma was on. She nearly fell herself but regained her balance sighing.

Mei-Mei: You did a great job Karma.

Karma held out a hand to pull Mei-Mei up.

Karma: Thanks!

She tried pulling her out of the water but as it turned out they couldn't balance theirselves on the same log as they both fell into the water. Ryu and Dashan where still twirling the long weights increasing the weight until one was the first to lose control of their weight. And as luck would have it Dashan didn't have the same physical strength and endurance Ryu had having to drop the weight he had.

Dashan: I give.

Ryu: Better luck next time pal.

Dashan: I'm impressed by all of you. To be able to exceed the levels of our training in only a few days is no small feat.

Erica: Well when you have something that motivates you it helps.

Ryu remembered his loss to Keith clenching his fist.

Ryu: A loss is a loss no matter the conditions.

Chi-Yun: What was that?

Ryu: Nothing just... Giving myself a reminder.

Karma: Well guys I'm off again.

Ryu: Again? You never say anything about where you go at this time Karma.

Karma: Oh just gotta work on some things in secret. Nothing too much.

Karma was already gone before they could say anything. Erica was the most curious as she thought of something. Then she heard a familiar voice.

???: 'Erica, no.'

Erica: 'Oh come on Lucifer, it couldn't hurt to just take a look.'

This was her Bey, Doom Lucifer finally speaking.

Lucifer: 'Erica, think about this.'

Erica: 'I have.'

Lucifer: 'Then think harder damnit.'

Erica: 'Lucifer what's the worse that could happen? It's Karma, she's pretty much one of the nicest girls I know, sure she might be a little mad but I don't think it'll last too long.'

TIME SKIP!!

Deeper in the Mountains

Erica was following the direction Karma was as she saw her footsteps.

Erica: You've gotta learn to cover your tracks Karma.

After she got a bit closer she saw familiar flames from a far away distance.

Erica: This heat, and those flames remind me of...

Erica remembered the time she and Karma battled for the regular position on the All Star team.

???: HRAAGH!!!

The flames raised into the air as Erica heard a shout.

Erica: Was that Karma?

She moved in closer carefully as the heat became even greater.

Erica: What's going on here?

When the heat seemed to pass over 190 degrees she saw at the source of the flames was Karma and Fenrir who the flames were exuding from. She was panting hard on one knee as her hair covered her face. She looked up as her eyes were glowing yellow.

Karma: Not good enough...

Erica slightly jumped back seeing her like that as she noticed Karma was also sweating as her arms seemed to be red.

Karma: FENRIR!!!!

The flames burned as Fenrir spun and crashed into a rock causing causing it to break apart and also begin to melt. The flames got to Karma nearly burning her as well.

Erica: KARMA!!!

Her head jolted to Erica who was running towards her.

Karma: ERICA?!!

She quickly caught Fenrir as he sparked in her gloves before the flames died down.

Erica: Karma what the hell is going on?!!

Karma: U-Uh-Uhhh, what are you talking about?

Erica: You leaving for hours every day, and now the intense flames?! Explain!!

Karma: L-Listen Erica, I really don't want to worry you guys.

Erica: We're your teammates and friends, we're gonna worry if you DON'T tell us!

Karma: ... Erica, please, I need you to keep this between us for now, ok?

Erica: Huh?

Karma: Seriously, if Azure found out he'd feel super bad, and I can't even imagine how guilty Ryu would feel.

Erica: Wait, what do they have to do with it?

Karma: *Sigh* I only found out that I could use these black flames a few months ago. Like you just saw, they're way stronger than my normal ones, hotter too. The reason I come out here is that I can't control it, and it's hard to keep MYSELF under control while I use the power for long. I can only keep my cool for a minute before I lose myself and go berserk when I do.

Erica: Ok, but what does that have to do with Ryu and Azure?

Karma: *Sigh* Don't those flames remind you of something? Or someone exactly?

Erica thought of every time she had seen a Bey with a dark attack or aura.

Erica: Well, I haven't seen many Beys like that. The only ones I've ever seen in action were...

Erica had a flashback to Battle Bladers as Ryu battled Karma using the Dark Power. She also remembered when Azure had gotten serious in a battle and last but not least Ryuga as well.

Erica: Karma, are you telling me that-

Karma: Erica, the source of this, Dark Inferno, comes from the last remnants of Ryu and Dracian's Dark Power that entered me during our battle.

Erica had no idea what to say as that was most likely the only explanation for it.

Karma: That's why I need you too keep this secret until I can get it under control. If Ryu finds out that I gained a power that can hurt others and myself because of him than he'd never forgive himself.

Erica: ... Fine.

Karma: Thank you.

Erica: And if you're dead set on making that power your own, then Battle me!

Karma: Huh?

Erica: The best way to be able to get a hold of a new power is by battling over and over again with it. It's how I made my special move stronger.

Karma looked at Erica who held out Lucifer smiling.

Karma: Alright, let's do it!

TIME SKIP!!

At Beylin Temple

Ryu and Azure were battling as an explosion happened. When the smoke cleared Stallion was slightly wobbly but Dracian had stopped entirely.

Ryu: Damn! That was weak!!

Azure: Weak enough to nearly beat me!

Ryu: What's the point if Dracian stops spinning first?! Even if that move had all the power in the world there's no way it can work well unless Dracian has power to spare!

Dracian: You're a maniac Ryu. How strong are you planning to become?

Ryu: Strong enough so I don't lose again! Alright Azure let's go again!

Stallion: This CANNOT be good.

Azure: Ughh I'm gonna be so sore in the morning cause of you, I just know it.

The attached their Beys again ready to go.

Ryu/Azure: LET IT RIP!!!

TIME SKIP!!

Team Rage and Team Wang Hu Zhong where at stadiums with Azure and Karma at one with Mei-Mei and Chao-Xin, while Ryu and Erica were at a Stadium with Dashan and Chi-Yun.

Dashan: You four have easily been able to pass the hardest test in Beylin Temple in 5 days. A bit before the tournament goes back into action. The only thing left to do now is battle.

Ryu: Pretty weird matchups though.

Erica: Yeah, you trying to get an advantage?

Chi-Yun: The Matchups were completely random.

Karma: Yeah the slight of hand wasn't very clever.

Chao-Xin slightly jumped.

Chao-Xin: I have no idea what you're talking about, haha~.

Azure: It's whatever.

They all got ready to battle.

All: 3!! 2!! 1!! LET IT RIP!!!

They launched their Bey's into the stadiums as Dracian and Lucifer went side by side.

Erica: Ryu, let's go for that combo.

Ryu: Right off the bat huh? Alright I'm all for it. Buster Spin!!

The rubber on Dracian's performance tip made contact with the Stadium allowing it to zoom towards Virgo.

Chao-Xin: Woah!! That's way faster than before!!

Ryu: The training here has helped me to hone to power and accuracy of my launch! Now stop me if you've seen this before!

Dracian leapt into the air.

Dashan: The Quelled Ascension!

Chao-Xin: That move won't work on me pal!! Virgo!

Virgo was about to move away from Zurafa but Lucifer had sped towards the beys pushing it back into Zurafa before getting away.

Erica: You fell for it!

Ryu: How's this?!

Dracian came down crashing into both Beys sending each into a wall.

Dashan: Argh that was very clever! Throwing us off by using a move as a decoy and an attack!

Stallion and Fenrir were both spinning together as well as Lacerta and Aquario.

Azure: Karma, you remember mine and Ryu's battle with these two right?

Karma: Yeah, I remember the formations too.

Chi-Yun/Mei-Mei: Heaven and Earth Formation!!

Aquario circled around Lacerta as Stallion rushed in. Lacerta had struck Aquario towards Stallion before going in to follow.

Chi-Yun: We won't let you get the chance to use that defense of yours!

Azure smirked hearing this.

Azure: Bad move buddy!

Instead of deflecting it immediately Stallion had taken both strikes in full force.

Mei-Mei: But how?!

Azure: Stallion doesn't just stick to one trick now big guy! This is Attack Mode!!

Karma: And now you're open for my attack!

Fenrir went in getting covered in flames.

Karma: Chaos Crash!!

Fenrir smashed into both Beys sending them flying back.

Azure: Erase Flash!!

Stallion glowed in a blue aura striking Lacerta with a barrage of attacks.

Chi-Yun: This unbelievable!!

Mei-Mei: Hang on!!

Aquario raced towards Lacerta aiming to even the odds.

Karma: Don't forget I'm here too! Fenrir!!

Fenrir had gotten in the way striking Aquario into the air. Chao-Xin's Virgo was unable to escape the constant attacks of Lucifer as he began to look closer.

Chao-Xin: Come on just let up for even a second!

Lucifer had pulled back for another attack giving Virgo the time to escape.

Chao-Xin: Yes!!

Instead of going in to attack Lucifer the Bey head to Dracian and Zurafa.

Dashan: Good job Chao-Xin! Zurafa!

Ryu: A pincer attack eh? Alright just come and try it!

Both Beys went in to attack Dracian but missed as she disappeared causing them to knock into each other.

Dashan: WHAT?!!

Ryu: Over there.

They saw Dracian was racing along the edge of the other side of the stadium.

Chao-Xin: How the heck did he do that?!!

Ryu: Come on, you must've seen that knucklehead Masamune battle before.

ELSEWHERE

Masamune: ACHEW!!!

Team Gan Gan Galaxy were at a beach as Masamune had sneezed looking around.

Masamune: *Sniff* Who's talking about me?

BACK TO THE BATTLE!!

Dashan: That was the movement of Ray Striker!

Ryu: Alright time to finish this!

Erica: Yeah!!

Lucifer jumped into the air while Dracian sped up.

Azure: Karma, let's go!

Karma: Yeah!!

Fenrir stopped in the center of the stadium as flames shot into the air.

Chi-Yun: Special Move!! Lacerta: Tempestuous Whirlwind Sword!!!

Mei-Mei: Aquario: Soaring Firebird!!!

Karma: Fenrir: Blaze Typhoon!!!

Azure: Stallion: Thunder Wing!!

Chao-Xin: Okay Virgo: Blue Dragon Whirlwind Sword!!

Dashan: Rock Zurafa: Crushing Blast!!

Erica: Lucifer: Raging Storm Crash!!

Ryu: Special Move: Dracian: Buster Counter!!!

The special moves clashed as their was a blinding light and an explosion. When the smoke cleared it was revealed that the only two Beys that were on the stadiums were Dracian and Stallion.

Karma: Really?!

Azure: Sorry, haven't actually used that special move in a tag battle.

Erica: You had to get me too?

Ryu: :P Whoops.

They caught their Beys as every one of them laughed.

Dashan: Looks like you've won.

Ryu: Yeah. Take care guys. We've gotta go.

Chi-Yun: We'll be ready for our next battle.

Karma: Same here!!

Erica: Till the next time.

They were about to leave before Dashan stopped Ryu.

Dashan: Wait Ryu, before you leave there's something important you should know.

Ryu: Mm?

Dashan: Another team has gotten 4 items in the tournament other than Shadow Strike.

Ryu: What?

Azure: Which one is it?

Dashan: Team Wild Fang. They've yet to lose in a match similarly to Shadow Strike as well. Everyone says that their leader uses a Leon and fights like a Lion.

Karma: If I was a betting girl-

Ryu: Kyoya.

Dashan: Also, another one of their members uses a Dragon like Dracian.

Ryu: A Dragon?

CHAPTER END!!